Vibrating unit



April 21`,`19i42- F. VE. HuTcHlsoN 2,280,397V

VIBRATING UNIT Filed Jan. 31, i959 2 sheets-sheet 1 April 21,1942. y F. z-:Ql-lLrrcl-nsoN 2,280,397

' 'VIBRATING UNIT v Filed Jan. 31, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2" I /m/f/v rafa f2' E Hure/1'; 0N y 44 by onelmanner in which the Patented Apr. 2l, 1942 f UNITED STAT Es PATENT oFFicE i vInA'riNG UNIT Frank Emery Hutchison, Lahe Bluff, Ill. Applieaubn January `s1, 1939. serial No. 253,769

` -13 Claims. (o1. along-152) This invention relates to Vibrating units and more-particularly to `vibrating screen units for use vin `reclaiming or reconditioning mud used during the process of drilling oil wells.

The mud used inthe process of drilling oil `Wells is of a certain consistency ,and is flowed orpumped to 'cause it to .continuously circulate in the hole being `drilled forthe purpose of carrying awaythe rock cuttings from the drill and for sealing the rock ssures through which the hole passes. In its circulation through the well;

the mud becomes-contaminated with one or more of several impurities including sand and shale mixed with the mud during drilling, which particles render the mud ineffective for the purpose intended and necessitate `the removal of such particles to condition the mud for further use.

vll)

s As shown in Fig. 3 angle members Il and `I2 An object of the invention `is to provide a `more `efficient and practical vibrating unit.

Inaccordance with the object of the invention one embodiment thereof comprises a vibrating unit positioned in the path of a substance `Lto be screened, the `unitcomprising a housing with i channel members` adjacent the entrance 'end thereof for receiving the outer edgesof a resilient member, serving as a dam for the substance and as a support for the vibrating frame including a channel portion to receivefthe inner edges of the resilient member. The vibrating framesupports the screen cloth in the path of travel of the sub- 9 stance and at an angle with respect thereto so that vibration of thescreen cloth and frame will readily free undesired particles. from `the substance. i u

Other objects and advantages will beapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying .di'awin'gs,V

wherein l l Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the vibrat` ing unit, portions thereof being broken away.;

Figs. 1 and 3, the vibrating unit comprises `.a

housing Ill, U-shaped in general contour `and formed ofsuitable material, such as `sheet metal. Both endscf the housing are open `andthe .end

'housing ithe vibrating frame andscreen will here-` inafter be referred to as the `entrance end while ,the other will be referred to as the exit end.

4The entrance end of the housing is tapered, as,

shown `in Fig. 1, and secured to the bottom andside Walls of the said entrance end are spaced sets offangle members ll and l2. As shownin Figs. l, 3 and 4, .the sets of angle members Il .and` I2 `extendlparallel'with the adjacent edge of the housing forming a recess therebetween in which channel retaining members I4 are disposed and secured `to the housing. l Thechannel members I4 are, aswell as the angle members Il and 12, formed of individual members for the bottom and side walls `ofthe housing, yet if so desired they may each'be formed. in single units.

terminate at the upper edge of the housing while the channel member -l4 extends there above where there is secured. a cross channel member l5.` l l A resilient supporting member IB of the crosssectional contour shown in Figs.. 1 and 4-.is disy posed in the channel retaining member lHl and mayeitherbe formed of a single U-shaped piece or 4of individual straight pieces.V `The material offwhichk the resilient supporting member` is formed may be rubber or other materials suitable for such purpose such as Duprene.`

A vibrating frame .indicated generally at `2l] is supported entirely by the resilient supporting member I`6 and comprises `a square shaped channel member 2l positioned to receive the inner edges of the member I6 in the `bottom and `side portions thereof. The top portion of the channel member 2| has its side wall projections eX- tending downwardly as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The frame 20 further consists of aplurality oi triangular sections, three of which are employed in the present embodiment,V these sections be ing spaced as shown in Fig.` 3 and consisting of vertical `channel portions il?` secured at their ends, to the' top `and bottom portionsof the channely member 2|,1a1-.era1 cnanne1portionsz4 with their inner ends Xed to the upper ends of their respective vertical portions, and transversely .eX- tending portions 25 extending between the spaced ends of their respective vertical and lateral portions (Fig. 1) where they are secured in" place.

To further connect the frame 2U with thetresilient` supporting member -IB channel Vmembers 28 are Xed to the upper'corners of the frame.,` aslshown in Fig. 53, and `extend overthe upper` 'ends of the supporting member. Integral 'pro- .JectionsZS of the channel Lmembers 28xproject ber 2| of the frame 2|] provides an edge, which extends substantially the full Width of the frame around which the lower hook member 3| may be positioned, as shown in Fig. 1. The upper hook member 3| rests upon the outer edge of a l tensioning or retaining clamp-35, substantially U-shaped in cross-section, and having an inner edge removably positioned to abut the inner lower edge of the top portion of the channel member 2|, To guidethe clamp into the position shown in Fig. 1, an angle member 3l is fixed to the same portion of the channel member 2| and has its lower portion extending transversely therefrom. The triangular sections of the frame 2i), mainly the vertical portions 23 thereof lprovide an interrupted wall for further assuring the positioningof the clamp 35.l Suitable means may be provided to move the clamp about its inner edge as a fulcrum to move the outer edge thereof upwardly to draw the screen element taut across the opening'of the frame. In the present embodiment bolts 38 are employed to accomplish this purpose, the bolts being suitably spaced and extending through apertures in the clamp and channel member 2|. remove the screen element 3U by loosening the bolts 38 to allow suicient movement of the clamp 35 to free the hook members 3|.

Itis important that the-substance acted upon by the unit, which in the present embodiment is a fluid termed mud employed in drilling oil wells, be prevented from continuing its ilow other than through the screen element 3U. The formation of the hook members 3|, the angle member 32 and-'the clamp 35 seal the upper and loweredges of the screen element. To seal th'e side edges of the screen element 30 sealing strips or members 40 are employed. The sealing strips ll may be formed of suitable material, for example sponge rubber, and may be secured in place as desired. As an example these strips may be glued or vulcanized to the side edges of the screen element or may be disposed in suitable recesses of the frame. These sealing strips fill the space between the overlapping side edges of the screen element and the member 2| of the frame and may be of greater thickness than this space so that it may be compressed when the screen element is drawn taut.

A vibrating element, indicated generally at when actuated, through any suitable power means, such as a motor 46, causes vibration of the frame 20 in its resilient support l5 to cause vibration of the screen element 30.

The vibrating element 45 comprises a tubular casing 41 closed at its ends by caps 48 and 49 and supporting bearings 5l) within its ends. An out-of-balance shaft 53 has reduced axially aligned ends 54 and 55 supported by the bearings 5D and positioned eccentrically with respect to the main portion of the shaft.

The casing 41 is supported at spaced positions byresilient supports 58A in the form of annular elements of .suitable material such as soft rubber.

It is therefore, possible to As illustrated in Fig. 3 pairs of the support 58 are disposed concentric with the casing and housed in brackets 60 mounted upon the frame 2t at the triangular sections thereof.

To connect the shaft 53 to the motor 45, the end of the shaftl is extended through an aperture in the cap 49 and provided with a pulley 62 which is connected to a pulley 63 of the motor through belts 64.

The motor 46 is mounted upon a stationary platform supported by the housing As illustrated in Figs l and 3 channel members 68 have their forward ends mounted upon the channel member l5, the other ends thereof being mounted upon an angle member 69. Suitable means, such as transverse members l0, extending between the angle members and the side channel members I4 support the rear portion of the platform. A plate "H mounted upon the channel members 68 completes the platform for the motor.

Upon considering the operation of the unit, attention is rst directed to Fig. 2 which illustrates one use therefor; namely, the reconditioning of the iiuid or mud used in drilling oil wells. Here a trough I4 is shown receiving the fluid from the hole being drilled. The trough directs the fluid to a pit 'l5 of sufcient size to receive a large quantity of the fluid and the undesired substances therein. Another pit 'I6 is positioned to receive the reconditioned fluid whereas the unit is mounted between the pits in the path of the iluid. An overiiow ll for the pit l5 directs the reconditioned iiuid back to the hole being drilled for further use. The unit is suitably vembedded between the pits so that the fluid, that is the desired portion thereof, cannot flow other than through the unit. Angle members 8|) nxed to the housing are secured to cross beams 8|, the latter extending across the pits and assist in supporting the unit and holding it against displacement.

With this illustration in mind, attention is directed to the operation of the unit. Actuation of themotor 46, by a suitable power means not shown, causes rotation of the shaft 53. Rotation of the shaft creates a vibrating force due to the eccentric positioning of the weighted or heavier portion of the shaft with respect to its axis of rotation. This vibrating force is transmitted to the screen element through the bearings 50, the casing 41, the resilient supports 58, the brackets Sli and the frame 20.

The resilient supports 58, in being interposed between the vibrating means, or vibrating motion creating element (the shaft 53) and the frame 20, do not decrease the eiciency of the vibrating means but serve to cushion the vibrating motion and are especially effective in preventing damage to the parts in the vibrating chain when undue jarring occurs, for example at the beginning of the operation of the unit. Even during the regular operation of the unit the resilient supports 58 remove that strain on the parts inv the vibrating chain and the possible damage to such parts should they be directly connected metal to metal throughout.

Vibration of the screen element is made possible through its resilient supporting member I6, which member also serves as a seal between the housing I0 and the frame 20, and further serves as a dam against the fluid, permitting its Vpassage only through the screen element. Therefore, in positioning the unit in the path of the iiuid and so thatit will extend a sufficient Y ruleare solids heavier in proportion to the desired portionof the fluid, move toward theunit against gravity, resulting inmovement thereof at armuch slower velocity'than would occur should such portions bedropped-bygravityf on a4 horizontally positioned screen. TheV positioning of the screen element vertically,in the path of the fluid and at an angle away from the point of contact of suchportion, instead-of horizontally, K

relieves the screen of the f full Weight of the fluid;1 the added weight increased by gravity in dropping the fluid on the screen, the added weight of the undesired portions remaining thereon uri`- til they reach the end of the screen and the result of losing some of theundesired portions throughthe screen due to the length of tim suchportions remain on the screen. Y i Therefore, instead of the force of gravity tending to cause the solids',` or undesired portions of the fluid, to pass through the screen element or block the apertures in the screen, it acts to `move such portions free of the screen thus aiding the vibrating means in freeing the screen of them and making possible an undisturbed full capacity passage of the desired uid portion through the screen. When the solids strike the screen element they are pushed away therefrom by the vibrating motion of the screen. The force of gravity acts to move the` solids downwardly.

As the solids move downwardly less force is present in the iiuid to move the solids toward the screen, thus increasing the time interval for the force of gravity to be effective; `The angular a iiuid, formed to direct the fluid in `a definite path, ;a resilient supporting element `disposed in the4 channel, an :,apertured member 4disposed acrossthe path of the fluid, a frame carrying the apertured member and supported by the resilientelement, means disposed between the frameand the member to form a fluid sealtherebetween, .andtmeans to. cause vibration Aof the frame and member. l. f l

i3. A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for. a` fluid, `formed to direct the'fluid in a definite path, `a yresilient supporting element disposed in the channel, an `apertured member. `disposed acrossthe path of lthe fluid, a framecarrying the apertured member and supported by `the resilient element, flexible strips disposed be,

tween vthe frame and the member adjacent the latter to form a fluid seal therebetween, and means to cause vibration of the framevand member. i l

4.A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for a fluid, formedto direct the fluid in a definite path, ascreen'member disposed across the path of fluid, a frame carrying the screen member disposed in the channel, a vibrating element, means including cushioning members connecting the vibrating element to the `frame,` and means to cause actuation of the vibrating elee ment to vibrate the frame and screen member.` f 5.i A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for a`ifluid,`f0rmed to direct the'iiuid in a definite patina screen member disposed across the `path of fluid, a frame carrying the screen member, a

- vibrating element, means including spaced cush- 6. A vibrating unit comprising a channel,` forv Y a fluid, formed to direct the fluid` in a definite positionA of the screen also assists in increasing this time interval as the farther the solids drop the farther they must travel to reach the screen.

Therefore, due to the fact that the undesired portions of the liuid may be readily moved free of the screen, screens of liner mesh then could effectively be used on horizontal screen units,

without the undesired portions of theiiuid closing the apertures, maybe used if so desired. Furthermore, dueto the same fact, screens of coarser mesh or larger apertures may be used, allowing a fasteriiow. of the fluid with an equal or more eiiicient removal of the undesired `particles then is possibleV with liner mesh screens of the horizontal type screen.

The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is illustrative only and may be widely modified and departed from in many ways Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as pointed out in and limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for a fluid, formed to direct the` fluid in a definite path, an aperturedmember, a resilient element to support the member in the channel across the path of the fluid` and constantlyserve as a dam against the passage of lthe fluid other than through the member, and means to cause vibration of the member to force undesired portions path, a screen element disposed across the said path, a resilient member disposed in the channel and formed to completely suport the screen elea fluid, formed to direct the fluid in a definite path, a vibrating frame disposed in the channel,

l a screen carried by the frame, means disposed between the screen and the frame to form a fluid seal therebetween, a resilient supportv for the frame disposed in the channel and serving as a fluid seal between the `frame and the channel, a

in the iiuid from the member and allow portions of the fluid to pass therethrough.

2. Avibrating unit comprising a channel, for

vibrating element, cushioning means to connect the element to the frame, and means to cause actuation of the element` to vibrate the frame y and screen. ,i

8. A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for a fluid, formed to direct the fluid in a definite path, a framedisposed in the channel and `having a iiuid passageway therethrough, a screen mounted in the frame and covering .V the passageway therein, a resilient member supporting the frame and closing the path of fluid excepting through the screen, and means to cause vibration of the frame on the resilient member to vibrate the screen. i

9. A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for a fluid, having a bottom and vertical side walls to direct the fluid in a definite path, a hollow frame disposed in the channel, a screen supported by the frame, resilient supporting elements disposed between the frame and the bottom and side Walls of the channel to support the frame and screen for vibratory movement across the said path, and means to vibrate the frame and screen on the resilient elements.

10. A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for a fluid, having a bottom and vertical side walls to direct the iiuid in a definite path, a hollow frame disposed transversely of the path in the channel, a screen supported by the frame, resilient supporting elements disposed between the frame and the bottom and side walls of the channel to support the frame and screen for vibratory movement across the said path and to seal the channel against the pasage of uid therethrough other than through the screen, and means to vibrate the frame and screen on the resilient elements.

11. A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for

a uid, having a bottom and vertical side walls to direct the uid in a definite path, companion grooved members disposed adjacent the bottom and side walls of the channel in a plane transverse the said path, a hollow frame disposed in the plane with the grooved members and having grooves therein, a screen supported by the frame, resilient `supporting elements disposed in the grooves of the members and the frame to support the frame for vibratory movement, and means to vibrate the frame and screen on the resilient elements.

12. A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for a nuid, having a bottom and vertical side walls to direct the fluid in a definite path, comp-anion grooved members disposed adjacent the bottom and side walls of the channel in a plane transverse the said path, a hollow frame disposed in the plane with the grooved members and having grooves therein, a screen suported by the frame, resilient supporting elements disposed in the grooves of theV members and the frame to support the frame for vibratori7 movement and to close the channel against the passage of the fluid therethrough other than through the screen, and means to vibrate the frame and screen on the resilient elements.

13. A vibrating unit comprising a channel, for a fluid, formed to direct the fluid in a denite path, an apertured member, a resilient element to sup-port the member in the channel across the path of the fluid and constantly serve as a dam against the passage of the iiuid other than through the member, a cylindrical element, means including circular resilient cushions surrounding the element to resiliently connect the element to the frame, and means to cause vibration of the element and through the cushions cause vibration of the frame and apertured member.

FRANK EMERY HUTCHISON. 

